Ascent of Lookout Mountain on 2009-07-11

Ascent Trip Report

According to Eric Noel, this peak is needed in order to complete the list of Oregon 2000-foot prominences because its summit is unmeasured but in the same contour as nearby Carpenter Mountain, which is on the list. I parked here, which happens to be the key saddle if this peak is lower than Carpenter. A maintained but unmarked trail leads west along the ridge from this point. That trail leads down to the McKenzie River valley to a TH just up the hill and north of McKenzie Bridge. At the point where the trail crests the ridge to begin its descent, a quasi-cairn marks the junction with an old trail that was previously used to service the long-gone lookout. Follow this trail to the old lookout site. The summit is a class 1/2 hike in mostly open terrain about .1 mile farther up the ridge. Great views of Oregon's central volcanoes from Jefferson to Diamond are possible on this trail.